Sanity starts early with NJ Transit When it comes to commuting to work, it's not the norm to find like-minded fellow passengers to engage in conversation. At 6:15 a.m., most folks prefer to sink low in their seat and even take in an extra forty winks before dealing with their work routine. So, to find a group of convivial bus mates taking the early express into NYC at such an early hour is serendipity, to say the least. To start, I'd like to give a "shout out" to my small group of fellow commuters: Mitch, who, like myself, works in the publishing industry; Sheila, a bond market reporter; Rita, a chemist, who, at 60 years, has more vitality and beauty than the average 30-something; Leroy, a purveyor of fine wines and spirits; Paula, an urban archaeologist; Vivian, a nursing administrator; Carolina, who always has such a lovely smile; Debbie, who works for a company that is a leader in the maintenance of outstanding NYC buildings; Dot and Val, who are married and travel together on the bus as far as the Light Rail station at Port Imperial. Dot, a bookkeeper at a food emporium, continues her commute with me on the West Side Avenue train to Jersey City, while Val, an accountant, continues on into the City. Dot has overcome great obstacles in her life, and is a source of inspiration to those she comes in contact with due to her many accomplishments. Each of my bus mates offers something uniquely special at our daily meetings. Also, we are fortunate to have a good-natured bus driver, Fernando, who keeps to the schedule and allows us to arrive on time. Living in the Moment Many agree that Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. If you consider fellowship as being "the meat that nourishes our soul," then it's fair to say that sharing positive thoughts before the start of the work day is also important. As Eckhart Tolle mentions in his book The Power of Now, it's important to realize that while our use of time has a practical aspect, most people are lost in time, usually dwelling in the past or future, and are only peripherally aware of the present moment, or the "Now". On the 159R bus, however, each one of us is fully engaged in the present, able to share a few minutes of ourself with the rest. Indeed, our daily meeting can be compared to the monastic prayer service of Lauds, as we most definitely are a community of souls beginning the day, in the pre-dawn hours, searching for meaning and harmony in life. We often take turns lifting each other up and lending support to those who need a gentle word of encouragement. Other times, we rejoice in the beauty of life and the great possibilities that each new day brings. Some of my greatest moments of inspiration have come during this daily meeting; and, I believe that many seeds were planted that have already bloomed into miracles!
The Beauty of NOW As the bus continues its route down Gorge Road, the bus driver turns off the overhead lights in the cabin. A gentle darkness enfolds us, as we gaze out the windows to behold a truly lovely scene: the skyline of Manhattan, with many glistening lights, illuminated from behind by the colorful hues of the not-yet-risen sun! I have often compared this vision to the "Amen" at the end of a prayer, and confirmation that we are all given many other such visions during the day which we often overlook. The glistening lights of pre-dawn also remind me that each of us has the power to merge our talents together to become "A Thousand Points of Light". I truly believe that each of us carries this hope with us to our individual workplace; I know that I do!
Variations on a Theme All too soon, our bus arrives at Port Imperial, where I exit to catch the train to Jersey City. I use these moments to contemplate the phrase from the Bhagavad Gita: "Witness the Diversity, but understand the Unity." Each one of us brings our own special talents with us each day. Some of these talents lay dormant, beaten down by the trials of day-to-day living. The truth is often clouded by needless pressures we actually inflict on ourselves. If we understood the truth, we would manifest our talents constantly, which is the true meaning of "Living in the Now". When I began my life in Metaphysics over twenty years ago, one of my first mentors was Marianne Williamson. In her book, A Return to Love, there is a wonderful chapter on "Work". If each one of us envisioned our job, our office and our coworkers, as our "ministry," we could sanctify our workplace and share our talents openly without worry. Why worry? After all, we are all variations on a theme; and this theme is the great At-one-ment. We are all on different paths in life, each one with different spiritual talents. By sharing our talents, we can indeed do miracles. Our smile, our energy and our spirit, empower us and permit us to truly be the light of the world. Each one of us has our unique place, our unique value to the whole. Without each one of us, the light would become much dimmer.
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